Educare Arizona

New York Times Magazine, 9/26
Intervene Earlier

When I began investing philanthropically in 2000, I wanted to address achievement gaps. In searching for answers, I spoke with John Mackiel, superintendent of Omaha’s public schools, where I sent my own children. He emphasized early education. It wasn’t impossible for disadvantaged students to catch up later — just a lot harder, and costlier.

Looking for a program to replicate in Omaha, I found Educare, on Chicago’s South Side. Inside Educare, kids facing the worst odds find, beginning at birth, a full-day, full-year oasis. Visit and you’ll see highly trained teachers, down on the floor, talking, singing and inspiring.

Today, 8 Educares are open across America, with 12 more in the pipeline, each supported by partnerships of local philanthropies, public schools and early childhood providers. Educares provide a lever to improve state and federal policies: they show policy makers what ‘‘high quality’’ looks like and what investment can produce. Educare students come close to national norms by the time they reach kindergarten. That is big news, and a solid investment in human capital.

SUSIE BUFFETT
Buffett is chairwoman of the Buffett Early Childhood Fund